Every time you turn on the heating, cook a meal, or enjoy a hot shower, it’s worth sparing a thought for the LPG quietly powering it all. Liquefied Petroleum Gas is one of the most versatile and widely used fuels for homes and businesses, especially in off-grid areas.
Here are our top 10 facts about LPG - from safety and storage to cost, carbon emissions, and its growing role in a renewable future.
10. LPG is incredibly versatile
LPG isn’t just for heating homes or firing up the BBQ - its uses span a huge range of sectors. At home, it provides cooking, heating, and hot water. In hospitality, it powers kitchens and heating for hotels, pubs, and restaurants. It fuels forklift trucks in warehouses, powers heating and cooking in holiday parks and caravans, provides energy for care homes and housing developments and even supports industrial processes and farming equipment. Its portability and reliability make it indispensable in many settings.
Explore our LPG for Business sectors.
9. Over 4 million UK homes and businesses use LPG
Approximately 193,000 UK homes rely on LPG for heating because they’re not connected to the mains gas grid. When you include businesses, farms, holiday parks, hospitality venues, and care homes, LPG helps serve a large portion of the 4 million properties in the UK that are off the mains gas grid. From rural housing estates to remote commercial developments, LPG plays a vital role in keeping Britain warm and running.
8. LPG is a lower-carbon fossil fuel
Compared to alternatives like heating oil or coal, LPG emits significantly fewer carbon emissions and burns cleaner, producing much less soot and particulate matter. This makes it a more environmentally-friendly choice for heating and cooking, and it’s why many see it as a bridge fuel as the UK transitions toward net zero.
Explore more about the environmental benefits of LPG.
7. It’s safer than you might think
LPG is subject to strict safety regulations and standards, with robust, pressurised tanks equipped with valves and regulators to keep it contained safely. An odorant is added to the gas so that even a very small leak can be quickly detected by smell, making it easy to take action and resolve. Regular inspections and professional servicing ensure safe operation in homes and businesses alike.
Want to learn more? Check out our recent article where we explore the safety of LPG.
6. LPG tanks can be above or below ground
If you have an LPG tank at home or at your business, it may be neatly tucked out of sight underground, leaving gardens and outdoor spaces clear. Others prefer above-ground tanks for easy access and maintenance. Both options are safe, subject to inspections, and designed to withstand the elements.
Explore more about LPG tanks.
5. LPG is more affordable than you might expect
While LPG is typically more expensive per kWh than mains gas, it is often more competitive than electricity for off-grid properties and businesses. Bulk deliveries, the ability to shop around for suppliers, and paying only for what you use all help to keep costs manageable — particularly in rural and commercial settings where mains energy isn’t available.
4. It’s been around for over 100 years
LPG was discovered over a century ago, in the early 1900s, and was bottled and sold commercially by the 1920s. In the decades since, it has become one of the most widely-used off-grid fuels globally, valued for its efficiency, portability, and versatility.
3. LPG supports off-grid growth and innovation
In rural areas, on farms, in remote housing developments, and in unique businesses like glamping sites, food trucks, and holiday parks, LPG provides reliable energy where mains infrastructure doesn’t reach. Its portability and ease of delivery make it an ideal solution for supporting innovation and economic growth in off-grid locations, including industrial and commercial developments.
Discover the natural beauty along our LPG delivery routes.
2. It has one of the best energy-to-volume ratios
LPG is remarkably energy-dense, meaning it produces a lot of heat relative to its volume. This high calorific value makes it an efficient fuel for heating, cooking, and industrial applications - ideal for care homes, housing developments, and agricultural settings where consistent, reliable energy is critical.
1. The future of LPG is renewable
Renewable LPG, also known as BioLPG, is already being produced using sustainable feedstocks like plant and vegetable waste. It performs exactly the same as conventional LPG but delivers up to90% lower carbon emissions. BioLPG is beginning to enter the UK market, offering a greener alternative that helps homes and businesses decarbonise without changing their existing systems.
Next time you light the stove, turn on the heating, or step into a warm holiday lodge, take a moment to appreciate the LPG behind it — a cleaner, reliable, and adaptable energy source, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the UK.
Northern Energy: Trusted LPG Supplier
Looking for a trusted LPG supplier? Northern Energy Gas has been delivering safe, reliable, and affordable LPG to homes and businesses for many years. Whether you need LPG for your home, farm, holiday park, or business, we're here to help.
Get in touch with our team on 01423 772 789 (North) or 0118 229 4747 (South) to get an LPG quote or for more information about switching to LPG.